The most significant developments made to the 911-series are to be found in itssuspension and running gear. Forget the stories of tail-heavy 911s that would slide or spin when run hard through corners; that was true of the early years, but it no longer applies. Today's 911 is a sure-footed handler that takes to winding roads as if wired directly to its driver's nervous system. Operated with care, it can be hustled along at speeds most of us would never dream of driving. But its responsiveness and the sheer precision of steering, brakes and throttle can be enjoyed even when cruising. The brakes, four huge discs with standard ABS, are beyond reproach. Every trip, whether to the corner store or across the country, can be enjoyed in safety and comfort. Yes, comfort. The ride is always firm, never harsh, and effort levels for steering, clutch, brakes and shift lever have been reduced to make them easy for almost any driver. Performance ranges from exhilarating (base Carrera) to astonishing (Turbo). The Turbo will accelerate from rest to 60 mph in less four seconds, and its passing power is equally eye-opening. The standard Carrera takes a whole second longer to 60 mph. Obviously, there's no shortage of power here. What needs to be said is that all 911 powerplants are as smooth, unfussed and flexible as can be. They may revel in being run at three-digit speeds, but they are equally adept at handling stop-and-go traffic. And they sound wonderful. The standard transmission for all 911s is a superb 6-speed manual. The wide selection of gear ratios allows both quick acceleration and relaxed cruising. No matter how good the optional Tiptronic automatic (with impressive computer-aided manual gear-selection capability, not available with Turbo) is--and it is very good--the manual gearbox is jewel and should be first choice.
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